BPR NewsNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94News Stories from BPR News.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94BPR NewsMon, 19 Mar 2018 04:48:40 +0000BPR Newswww.bpr.org
Helen ChickeringMarch 14 is National Pi Day, a time to celebrate the mathematical constant, 3.14 and a good excuse to eat pie. BPR’s Helen Chickering talked with UNCA Math Professor Sam Kaplan about why the irrational number deserves its own day, why math intimidates many of us, and his work in the community - outreach that uses math as a platform to help local students sharpen their leadership skills. Want to celebrate Pi and eat pie? UNC Asheville will host a Pi Run/Walk on Sunday, March 18, in celebration of Pi Day that occurs earlier in the week. The 3.14-mile fun run on UNC Asheville’s Straus Track is open to everyone, with a registration fee of $5 to reserve your spot. The run begins at Pi time – 3:14 p.m. and will conclude with pie for all. Onsite check-in and registration begin at 2 p.m. on March 18. Advance registration is encouraged and is available online at unca.edu/pi-run Proceeds from the Pi Run will benefit the Asheville Initiative for Math at UNC Asheville and its Marvelous Math Club,Local Professor Unpacks Pi & Math Intimidationhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/local-professor-unpacks-pi-math-intimidation
80064 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netWed, 14 Mar 2018 20:28:29 +0000Matt BushAsheville city council is scheduled to meet twice on Tuesday, its first regularly scheduled meetings since the release of a body camera video that showed a then-city police officer beating an unarmed black man last year. The council met last Monday in closed session to release personnel documents related to the investigation of the incident involving officer Chris Hickman, who's white. He resigned in January and currently faces three charges, including one felony assault count. Video published by the Asheville Citizen-Times showed Hickman beating, choking, and shocking with a stun gun Johnnie Jermaine Rush last August along Short Coxe Avenue. Hickman and an officer in training had stopped Rush for suspected jaywalking. Charges against Rush were dropped in September. The criminal investigation into Hickman - conducted by Asheville police - did not start until after he resigned. The FBI has launched its own inquiry into the incident, which likely will focus on whether Rush's civil rightsAsheville City Council To Meet (Twice) Tuesday - DA Dismisses Cases Hickman Investigatedhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/asheville-city-council-meet-twice-tuesday-da-dismisses-cases-hickman-investigated
79941 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 20:50:16 +0000Asheville City Council To Meet (Twice) Tuesday - DA Dismisses Cases Hickman InvestigatedAssociated PressRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Hundreds of times a year across North Carolina, officials who control everything from the taxes you pay the city to the tuition required to attend public universities meet behind closed doors to conduct sensitive business on behalf of the public they serve. Whether they're elected or appointed, members of these local and state boards can meet out of view of the public for almost a dozen legitimate reasons, like personnel decisions or discussions of legal strategy. When they do, they're supposed to keep an account of what happens — and barring specific exceptions, be able to provide that account to the public. That's often not the case. A collaborative investigation by 10 newsrooms across the state found that governing boards that meet in closed session are often slow to hand over legally required records that detail what they discuss in secret, if they provide them at all. When they are produced, they're often heavily redacted, raising questions about how closelyDetails Are Often Kept Off-Limits Long After Closed Meetings In North Carolinahttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/details-are-often-kept-limits-long-after-closed-meetings-north-carolina
79936 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 18:44:48 +0000Details Are Often Kept Off-Limits Long After Closed Meetings In North CarolinaMatt BushLack of housing and parking topped the list of concerns for local businesses in the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual 'Business Walk' . The survey of more than 300 local businesses focused on whether those businesses saw growth in 2017, and what they felt needed to change to improve the business environment in the area. Housing topped the list of areas where businesses wanted to see change, with 40% of respondents including it in their response. Parking was next at 36%, followed by availability of qualified personnel (26%), easier and expedited permitting (21%), and public transportation (16%). Parking did top another list in the survey - the most pressing infrastructure need in the area according to businesses. It was followed by sidewalks, better paved streets, and stormwater/sewer drainage. The top response to this question though did vary by neighborhood. Businesses in Biltmore Village and East Asheville listed stormwater/sewer drainage as their top infrastructure need,Housing & Parking Top Concerns For Local Businesseshttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/housing-parking-top-concerns-local-businesses
79773 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 08 Mar 2018 20:32:55 +0000Matt Bush(UPDATE Thursday 9:40 p.m.) - Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams announced in a press release late Thursday that former Asheville police officer Chris Hickman will face three criminal charges for the August beating of an unarmed black man. Hickman and an officer in training stopped Johnnie Rush for suspected jaywalking and trespassing late on the night of August 24th on Short Coxe Avenue. Hickman beat, choked and shocked Rush with a stun gun. The charges detailed Thursday night against Hickman - who resigned from the police force in January - are one count each of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious injury, and communicating threats. The criminal investigation into Hickman's actions did not start until after he resigned, and wrapped up a week after the video of the beating was leaked to the Asheville Citizen-Times, which first published it and made the incident public. The paper also reports five of the seven members of city council it could reach supportUPDATE: Former Asheville Police Officer Charged For August Beatinghttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/update-former-asheville-police-officer-charged-august-beating
79730 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 08 Mar 2018 03:10:03 +0000UPDATE: Former Asheville Police Officer Charged For August BeatingMatt Bush(UPDATE 12:20 p.m. Wednesday) - The Asheville city council is calling for an audit of the city police department, following the release of a video last week showing a then-city police officer beating an unarmed black man last August. In a statement released Wednesday morning, the council wants the audit to 'determine the degree to which structural racism and implicit and explicit bias continue to contribute to the operations and actions of the department and its officers.' The council wants the audit conducted by a third party, such as the Police Executive Research Forum . On its website, PERF describes itself as " a police research and policy organization and a provider of management services, technical assistance, and executive-level education to support law enforcement agencies." The council's Wednesday morning statement can be in full read here . (Original story continues below) The Asheville citizen’s police advisory committee meets Wednesday night, a week after video surfacedAsheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee Meets As Details Of Beating Video Emergehttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/asheville-citizens-police-advisory-committee-meets-details-beating-video-emerge
79660 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netTue, 06 Mar 2018 21:03:31 +0000Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee Meets As Details Of Beating Video EmergeMatt BushAsheville city council has called a closed session special meeting for Monday evening to discuss a video released this week showing a then-Asheville police officer beating an unarmed black man last August. The video, published by the Asheville Citizen-Times , shows officer Chris Hickman beating and shocking with a stun gun Johnnie Jermaine Rush. Hickman had stopped Rush for suspected jaywalking and trespassing August 24th. The Citizen-Times reported Hickman resigned from the force in January, the same month a criminal investigation into his actions was launched by the Asheville police department. Hickman has not been charged so far. Charges against Rush were dropped. On Friday both Asheville police chief Tammy Hooper and Buncombe County district attorney Todd Williams told the Citizen-Times an investigation is needed into how the video footage was leaked to the paper. The video came from a police body camera, and footage from those is not public record in North Carolina. On Thursday,Asheville City Council To Hold Special Meeting As Fallout Over Police Beating Video Intensifieshttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/asheville-city-council-hold-special-meeting-fallout-over-police-beating-video-intensifies
79517 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netFri, 02 Mar 2018 21:32:15 +0000Asheville City Council To Hold Special Meeting As Fallout Over Police Beating Video IntensifiesHelen ChickeringLeonardo da Vinci may be best known for his artistic masterpieces, but he was also an accomplished engineer and scientist. That mix of science and art helped inspire a local group of artists, scientists, teachers and citizens to launch the area’s first arts and science festival. BPR’s Helen Chickering caught up with one of the organizers, biologist Jason York. Asheville’s first Arts and Science Festival will be held on Saturday, March 31 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Salvage Station. The event is free and welcomes all ages. “This event began as a small group of passionate scientists, teachers, and artists excited about their fields and anxious to instill a love for them in the hearts and minds of the community. Now almost nine months later, we are excited about the response we have received from the art and science community and the community at large. This festival brings the community together in an environment environment conducive to experiential learning while having fun, " saidArt & Science Mingle in Ashevillehttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/art-science-mingle-asheville
79466 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 01 Mar 2018 22:32:07 +0000Matt BushCandidate filing for the 2018 North Carolina General Assembly elections ended this week, and both parties will field enough candidates to ensure all 170 seats will be contested this year. It’s making Democratic Governor Roy Cooper very happ - and confident. Cooper has been in office for 14 months, but his legislative power remains quite limited. That’s because Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly allowing them to override any vetoes from Cooper, something they did nine times last year. But the Governor is confident that will change next year, in part because his party was able to field candidates in all races this year. In the general election two years, nearly 45% of all General Assembly races were unopposed. Democrats will need to pick up four seats in the House or six in the Senate to break the supermajority, and the Governor – speaking in Asheville - predicts one of those will happen. “It will be broken. We'll just see by how much.” And whileGov Cooper Visits Asheville, Predicts Dems Will Break GOP Supermajorities In NC This Fallhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/gov-cooper-visits-asheville-predicts-dems-will-break-gop-supermajorities-nc-fall
79465 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 01 Mar 2018 22:00:56 +0000Gov Cooper Visits Asheville, Predicts Dems Will Break GOP Supermajorities In NC This FallMatt BushCandidate filing for the 2018 election wrapped up Wednesday afternoon. A flurry of late filings - mostly Republicans in Buncombe County - ensured that all of Western North Carolina's General Assembly seats will see a contested general election. That's a step up from two years ago, when five of the seats featured unopposed general elections or only one candidate from a major party. The primary election is May 8th. The two contested primaries for a General Assembly seat are in Senate District 47, where two Democrats are vying for the party nod to face incumbent Republican Ralph Hise. In House District 115, two Republicans are seeking the GOP nod to square off with Democratic incumbent John Ager. There are large fields for party nominations for other seats, most notably for the Republican nod in the 10th Congressional District. Incumbent Patrick McHenry is looking for his 8th term in office, but will face five GOP challengers in the primary election. In the neighboring 11th District,Candidate Filing Completed: See Who's Running This Yearhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/candidate-filing-completed-see-whos-running-year
79382 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netWed, 28 Feb 2018 18:30:55 +0000Candidate Filing Completed: See Who's Running This YearMatt PeikenEverywhere you turn inside Sassy Frass Consignment , your eye catches bejeweled, gleaming crosses and other Christian symbols sprinkled among t-shirts, furnishings, glass baubles and other nicknacks . Then there are very different signs about one special chapter in the store’s history -- the charred doors left behind by a firey Molotov cocktail and the giant block letters that temporarily hung on the building’s facade, spelling out Ebbing Police Department. Two springs ago, cast and crew spent six weeks prepping and shooting in and around Sylva for the film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri.” Producers converted Fuller’s store into the police department, one of the movie’s central locales. “I love the transformation that took place here,” said Tammy Fuller, the store’s owner. “Just in a matter of days, it was from Sassy Frass to a police station, and I was like ‘Man, these guys are gifted.’” Shooting largely happened in the open along Main Street. Locals were free to watch from'Three Billboards' Up for Six Oscars. People in Sylva Would Like a Seventh: Best Locationhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/three-billboards-six-oscars-people-sylva-would-seventh-best-location
79374 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netWed, 28 Feb 2018 16:27:13 +0000'Three Billboards' Up for Six Oscars. People in Sylva Would Like a Seventh: Best LocationCory VaillancourtWinning an election is just the beginning for a public official – governing is challenging, ever-changing and can become extremely technical in a legal sense. So newly elected officials go back to school to learn what they can and can’t do, and what might land them in jail. Since 1931, the University of North Carolina’s School of Government has been a nonpartisan, policy-neutral resource for elected officials across the state and is the largest such organization in the nation, with dozens of professors holding expertise in more than 250 government-related fields, from abuse and neglect to zoning. The School of Government furthers its mission by conducting seminars with newly-elected officials, like a recent one Asheville. Franklin Mayor Bob Scott opened the event by telling nearly 100 elected officials from across the state why the school does what it does. “Government is complicated. Government is also, the only purpose we serve is conducting the public’s business, and the more weBack To School For Elected Officials - How They Learn The 'Essentials Of Municipal Government'http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/back-school-elected-officials-how-they-learn-essentials-municipal-government
79324 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netTue, 27 Feb 2018 19:07:55 +0000Back To School For Elected Officials - How They Learn The 'Essentials Of Municipal Government'Associated PressRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's schools chief is opposed to arming teachers in classrooms, an idea President Donald Trump and some legislators in North Carolina and other states have suggested following the shootings at a Florida high school that killed 17 people. Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson said Monday he supports the General Assembly increasing money to hire more law enforcement officers in the schools. But Johnson says in a release teachers should not be asked to take on the "massive responsibility" of having firearms in the classroom. He says he's been working to reduce burdens on teachers. A North Carolina House committee has been formed to evaluate school safety and how it can be improved. Johnson says firearms on school grounds should be in the hands of trained, uniformed law-enforcement professionals.North Carolina Schools Superintendent Against Arming Teachershttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/north-carolina-schools-superintendent-against-arming-teachers
79311 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netTue, 27 Feb 2018 15:37:29 +0000North Carolina Schools Superintendent Against Arming TeachersMatt BushA busy basketball weekend in Asheville will now be even more so. Not only will the Southern Conference host both it's men's and women's basketball championships at the U.S. Cellular Center, but the quarter and semi-final rounds of the Big South men's basketball championship will be played at the Kimmel Arena on the campus of UNC-Asheville. That's because the Bulldogs clinched the Big South regular season championship over the weekend. Doing so means the Bulldogs will play at home during the Big South tournament as long as they are in it. BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE UNC-Asheville's first game will be Thursday evening at 7 against the winner of Tuesday's nights contest between Presbyterian and Charleston Southern. If the Bulldogs win that game, they will play the winner of Liberty-Campbell on Friday at 8 p.m. If UNC-Asheville wins that, it would host the Big South men's title game Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. on ESPN. The Bulldogs lost only one game at Kimmel Arena this year, to Liberty inAsheville Will Host Two NCAA Conference Tournaments This Weekendhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/asheville-will-host-two-ncaa-conference-tournaments-weekend
79261 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 26 Feb 2018 19:14:02 +0000Asheville Will Host Two NCAA Conference Tournaments This WeekendMatt BushReverend Billy Graham passed away Wednesday morning at his home in Montreat. He was 99. A family spokesman told the Associated Press Graham had been suffering from a variety of ailments, including cancer and pneumonia. His wife Ruth died in 2007. Funeral services have not been announced, but Graham will be buried next to his wife at the Billy Graham Museum and Library in Charlotte. Graham's ties to Western North Carolina were extensive. In addition to living in Montreat, he and his wife founded the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville. In 1987 it opened to "train people in God’s Word to win others to Christ", according to its website. The portion of Interstate 240 that cuts through downtown Asheville is named the Billy Graham Freeway in his honor. The Asheville Citizen-Times also noted the Graham was frequently seen around Montreat, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa despite his fame. Leaders from Western North Carolina have been sharing their condolences and remembrancesWNC Reaction To Death Of Reverend Billy Grahamhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/wnc-reaction-death-reverend-billy-graham
79040 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netWed, 21 Feb 2018 18:54:21 +0000WNC Reaction To Death Of Reverend Billy GrahamJeremy LoebNorth Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen looking for information on election security in North Carolina. This comes on the heels of last week's indictments by special counsel Robert Mueller of 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian businesses for interfering in the 2016 election. Stein joined BPR's Jeremy Loeb to discuss that and other matters.Attorney General on Russian Election Attacks, Offshore Drilling, McHenry Bank Billhttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/attorney-general-russian-election-attacks-offshore-drilling-mchenry-bank-bill
78989 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netTue, 20 Feb 2018 20:08:28 +0000Attorney General on Russian Election Attacks, Offshore Drilling, McHenry Bank BillMatt BushThe squabbling within the Haywood County Republican Party is showing no signs of stopping. Last year, four members of the county GOP were officially kicked out of the party. Now, a the vice chair of the Haywood County Republican party Debbie King is suing the faction of the county party those members belonged to over some internet memes. Smoky Mountain News reporter Cory Vaillancourt has been following this story from the start and joined BPR's Matt Bush in studio for an update on the latest - and what impact if any the fighting could have on GOP efforts for the 2018 election in Haywood County.In-Fighting At Haywood County GOP Now Heading To Court Over Internet Memeshttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/fighting-haywood-county-gop-now-heading-court-over-internet-memes
78833 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netFri, 16 Feb 2018 20:32:32 +0000In-Fighting At Haywood County GOP Now Heading To Court Over Internet MemesMatt BushTwo Asheville chefs, a baker, and a brewer have been named semi-finalists for prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. Katie Button of Nightbell and Curate and Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani are semi-finalists for the Best Chef of the Southeast. Six of the 20 semi-finalists in the category hail from North Carolina, with other nominees coming from Raleigh, Davidson, Winterville, and Kinston. David Bauer of Farm & Sparrow is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Baker, and Leah Wong Ashburn of Highlands Brewing is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional. Finalists for the awards will be announced March 14 th .James Beard Award Semi-Finalists Hail From Ashevillehttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/james-beard-award-semi-finalists-hail-asheville
78783 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 15 Feb 2018 22:56:57 +0000James Beard Award Semi-Finalists Hail From AshevilleHelen ChickeringClimate City is just one of Asheville’s many nicknames. A local nonprofit is working to elevate that moniker to a new level. In March, the climate innovation center, The Collider , is kicking off ClimateCon 2018 . The business of climate is the headline event of the conference that organizers say – has something for everyone. BPR’s Helen Chickering spoke with Megan Robinson, The Collider’s Executive director. A number events during The Climate City Experience are open to the general public and will take place in a variety of venues including craft breweries, including: Friday, March 16: Highland Brewing Company hosts a toast to Climate City, open to the public, where the company plans to release a special small-batch beer crafted to commemorate ClimateCon 2018. Monday, March 19: The Business of Climate Forum kicks off with an evening reception sponsored by Twin Leaf Brewery, featuring keynote speaker John Frey, an expert in information technology efficiency and sustainability atA Campaign For Climate City: ClimateCon 2018http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/campaign-climate-city-climatecon-2018
78767 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netThu, 15 Feb 2018 20:48:27 +0000A Campaign For Climate City: ClimateCon 2018Matt BushEfforts to promote racial and ethnic equity in Asheville should include community forums focusing on traffic stop data from city police. That’s one of many recommendations a study group that’s proposing a ‘human relations commission’ in Asheville gave to city council Tuesday. That group is also asking the city to expand its Office of Equity and Inclusion from one to four employees. The current head of that office, Kimberlee Archie, was just hired last year. The proposed human relations commission would consist of 15 members – with at least two members of any particular group apart of it so that someone is ‘not the only one’. The study group recommended that at least 6 African-Americans, 2 Latinx, 2 LGBTQ, 2-3 people between the ages of 16-25, and 2-3 people living in public housing be on the commission. Among other recommendations offered regarding city police and public safety were promoting mutual understanding between the police department and the community, and creating "mechanisms'Human Relations Commission' Would Aim To Promote Racial Equity In Ashevillehttp://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/human-relations-commission-would-aim-promote-racial-equity-asheville
78672 as http://wcqs.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netWed, 14 Feb 2018 14:59:05 +0000'Human Relations Commission' Would Aim To Promote Racial Equity In Asheville